“So that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” 1 Thessalonians 1:7 (ESV) Are you a model to follow? Are you reproducing the life of Christ before a watching world? God has created you, redeemed you, and empowered you to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. After Jesus took the towel and basin of water, He washed the disciples’ feet. Then Jesus said to them, “For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” (John 13:15 ESV). Jesus is our model to follow. Do what Jesus did. Put the needs of others before your own. Focus your life on fulfilling God’s agenda. Live to benefit others. Radiate Jesus’ love and extend the compassion of Christ. Guard your daily intimacy with God. Extend personal touch ministry to those in need. In his letter to his protégé, Paul reminded Timothy to “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12 ESV). God wants you to set the pace for the gospel race. Model Christ in your home. Model Christ on your campus. Model Christ in your work environment and in your church. Be a godly example for others to see Christ in you. The church at Thessalonica became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. They consistently lived out the gospel before a watching world. They influenced their culture by continuing the ministry of Jesus. Instead of allowing the culture to determine their lifestyle, they allowed the life of Jesus to be unleashed through their lives. Examine your life closely. What needs to change in your conversation and in your conduct in order to be a model to follow? How’s your thought-life? What needs to change in your private world in order to model Christ personally? Exhibit the life of character and integrity that Jesus modeled for you to follow. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Category: Model
“And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” 1 Thess 1:7 (NIV) Are you a model to follow? Are you reproducing the life of Christ before a watching world? God has created you, redeemed you, and empowered you to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. After Jesus took the towel and basin of water, He washed the disciples’ feet. Then Jesus said to them, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15 NIV). Jesus is our model to follow. Do what Jesus did. Put the needs of others before your own. Focus your life on fulfilling God’s agenda. Live to benefit others. Radiate Jesus’ love and extend the compassion of Christ. Guard your daily intimacy with God. Extend personal touch ministry to those in need. In his letter to his protégé, Paul reminded Timothy to “set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Tim 4:12 NIV). God wants you to set the pace for the gospel race. Model Christ in your home. Model Christ on your campus. Model Christ in your work environment and in your church. Be a godly example for others to see Christ in you. The church at Thessalonica became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. They consistently lived out the gospel before a watching world. They influenced their culture by continuing the ministry of Jesus. Instead of allowing the culture to determine their lifestyle, they allowed the life of Jesus to be unleashed through their lives. Examine your life closely. What needs to change in your conversation and in your conduct in order to be a model to follow? How’s your thought-life? What needs to change in your private world in order to model Christ personally? Exhibit the life of character and integrity that Jesus modeled for you to follow. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Tim 4:12 (NIV) Did you know that you will multiply what you model? Now that is convicting! That means that it truly does matter how you live your life. It truly matters how you conduct your daily living. Your beliefs and your behavior both matter to God and impact others. So how do you impart your sincere faith to others? Model sincere faith before others. Maybe you have heard parents remark that they want you to do as they say and not as they do. Of course, you would define that behavior as hypocrisy. God wants us to live in such a way that we encourage others to do as we say and as we do. We are to strive to live in such a way that the way we live lines up with what we say. What kind of faith does God want you to model? God wants you to model sincere faith. God wants you to set an example for others to follow. In other words, be a model to follow. Model the kind of life that draws others to Christ. Live the kind of life that models the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. What are you multiplying? You know the answer: whatever you are modeling. Model what you want to multiply. May the whole earth be filled with fully devoted followers of Christ as a result of the sincere faith that you are modeling. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor
“You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” 1 Thess 1:6-7 (NIV) Are you a model for others to follow? Think about the godly people God has placed in your life. Take note of their daily conversation and conduct. Do you see Jesus in them? I grew up in a single-parent family after my parents divorced when I was seven. Each Sunday, my mother would consistently bring my brother and me with her to church. God used my Sunday School teachers, pastors, and other godly men and women to model Christ before me. On March 28, 1979, I gave my heart to Jesus and received His gift of eternal life. Jesus became the Father who would never let me down. As a follower of Christ, I am to model Christ before others. By allowing His life to shine through me, I am simply the conduit through which Jesus makes Himself known to others. Jesus is the ultimate model to follower. He has called us to imitate Him and to become a model for others to follow. Pause for just a moment. Close your eyes and begin to visualize the godly examples that have influenced your life. Thank God for each one of them. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor